Background
Brewer, Derek Stanley was born on July 13, 1923 in Cardiff, Wales, Great Britain. Son of Stanley Leonard and Winifred Helen (Forbes) Brewer.
(Geoffrey Chaucer died on 25 October 1400. To mark the six...)
Geoffrey Chaucer died on 25 October 1400. To mark the six-hundredth anniversary of his death Derek Brewer's classic book is once again available in a fully illustrated version: over one hundred contemporary colour and black and white illustrations, from the homely to the refined - from children's games and cooking to falconry and music-making - bring the late middle ages to life. Chaucer's English world - that of the second half of the fourteenth century - is rich in interest of every kind, and Chaucer was a uniquely perceptive recorder of it. The tensions between tradition and innovation led to severe, sometimes violent, clashes; age-old customs were contested by the new individualism among the educated, by passionate religious dissent in high and low, and by peasants in revolt. London, caught up in the intellectual ferment, became an economic and cultural force to rival the great Continental cities, yet remained closely linked with the royal court and the church, strongholds of tradition. The English language came to its first full flowering since the Norman conquest, and many international influences were absorbed; among the turmoil, the arts flourished. Chaucer stood close to the centre of this world. He was one of the new literate laymen, a product of the merchant-gentry, from early youth a courtier, briefly a soldier, throughout his life an administrator, diplomat, scholar. He was also a very great poet: drawing freely from his work, Derek Brewer's biography gives a full and rounded picture of a distant but fascinating age. DEREK BREWERhas written many books and articles on Chaucer and medieval and later English literature. He is professor of English literature emeritus in the University of Cambridge, and was Master of Emmanuel College from 1977-90.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0396075193/?tag=2022091-20
(This new introduction to Chaucer has been radically rewri...)
This new introduction to Chaucer has been radically rewritten since the previous edition which was published in 1984. The book is a controversial and modern restatement of some of the traditional views on Chaucer, and seeks to present a rounded introduction to his life, cultural setting and works. Professor Brewer takes into account recent literary criticism, both challenging new ideas and using them in his analysis of Chaucer's work. Above all, there is a strong emphasis on leading the reader to understand and enjoy the poetry and prose, and to try to understand Chaucer's values which are often seen to oppose modern principles. A New Introduction to Chaucer is the result of Derek Brewer's distinguished career spanning fifty years of research and study of Chaucer and contemporary scholarship and criticism. New interpretations of many of the poems are presented including a detailed account of the Book of the Duchess. Derek Brewer's fresh and narrative style of writing will appeal to all who are interested in Chaucer, from sixth-form and undergraduate students who are new to Chaucer's work through to more advanced students and lecturers.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0582093481/?tag=2022091-20
(This book explains the underlying structure of many narra...)
This book explains the underlying structure of many narratives from ancient to modern times. After a short theoretical introduction, there follows chapters on fairy tales, medieval romance, Shakespeare, "Mansfield park" and "Great expectations", with reference to many other stories. The underlying structures of many narratives are shown to be based on the struggle towards maturity of the young hero or heroine who represents us all. Modern naturalism, however, often distorts the reception of these stories which are then dismissed as absurd, escapist or trivial. This work aims to clarify the intentions and methods of these stories, thus enabling them to be further understood and enjoyed.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/058201879X/?tag=2022091-20
(Stories include: A Martian Odyssey (voted into the Scienc...)
Stories include: A Martian Odyssey (voted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame by the Science Fiction Writers of America); Proteus Island; Brink of Infinity; The Adaptive Ultimate; The Lotus Eaters. Introduction "The Wonder of Weinbaum" by Sam Moskowitz. Not to be confused with a book published by Sphere in the UK with a similar title: they are different story collections.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GHIG84/?tag=2022091-20
(This important new critical biography traces in carefully...)
This important new critical biography traces in carefully considered detail what is known of Geoffrey Chaucer's personal life while exploring the fascinating relationship between the man of affairs, who made so many 'improvisations and accommodations' to ensure his own survival, and the poet. A major reexamination of England's greatest narrative poet, it is supplemented with reproductions of Chaucer portraits and other illustrations, including maps of medieval England.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1557866651/?tag=2022091-20
(This important new critical biography traces in carefully...)
This important new critical biography traces in carefully considered detail what is known of Geoffrey Chaucer's personal life while exploring the fascinating relationship between the man of affairs, who made so many 'improvisations and accommodations' to ensure his own survival, and the poet. A major reexamination of England's greatest narrative poet, it is supplemented with reproductions of Chaucer portraits and other illustrations, including maps of medieval England.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1557866651/?tag=2022091-20
Brewer, Derek Stanley was born on July 13, 1923 in Cardiff, Wales, Great Britain. Son of Stanley Leonard and Winifred Helen (Forbes) Brewer.
Bachelor, Oxford University, 1948. Master of Arts, Oxford University, 1948. Doctor of Philosophy, University Birmingham, 1956.
Doctor of Letters, Cambridge University, 1980. Doctor of Laws (honorary), University Keio, 1982. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Harvard University, 1984.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Williams College, 1990. Doctor of Letters (honorary), University Birmingham, 1985. DUniv (honorary), University York, 1985.
DUniv (honorary), University Paris IV, 1988. DUniv (honorary), University Liège, 1990.
Assistant Lecturer then lecturer, University of Birmingham 1949-1956, Senior Lecturer 1958-1964. Professor Institute Christian University, Tokyo 1956-1958. Lecturer, University of Cambridge 1965-1976, Reader 1976-1983, Professor 1983-1990, Emeritus Professor since 1990.
Fellow, Emmanuel College, Cambridge 1965-1977, Master 1977-1990, Life Fellow since 1990. Honorary degrees from University of Keio (Tokyo), Harvard, York, Birmingham, Paris IV (Sorbonne), Liege, Williams College, United States of America. Seatonian.
(This important new critical biography traces in carefully...)
(This important new critical biography traces in carefully...)
(Stories include: A Martian Odyssey (voted into the Scienc...)
(This work offers a selection of poems from a lifetime's r...)
(This new introduction to Chaucer has been radically rewri...)
(This book explains the underlying structure of many narra...)
(Geoffrey Chaucer died on 25 October 1400. To mark the six...)
Author: Chaucer, 1953, Proteus, 1958, Chaucer and His World, 1978, Symbolic Stories, 1980. Editor: Cambridge Review, 1981-1986, The Parlement of Foulys, 1960, Chaucer in His Time, 1964, Chaucer and Chaucerians, 1966, The Morte Darthur: Parts Seven and Eight, English Gothic Literature, 1983, Studies in Medieval English Romances, 1988, Medieval Comic Tales, 1996, Companion to Gawain-poet, 1997, New Introduction to Chaucer, 1998, Seatonian Exercises and Other Verses, 2000, Chaucer's World, 2000. Contributor articles to professional journals.
Trustee, chairman British Taiwan Cultural Association, London, 1989-1997, SOS Children's Villages, 1992-2003, Chaucer Heritage Trust, 1992-2000. Captain British Infantry, 1942-1945. Fellow English Association (honorary).
Member Japan Academy (honorary), Medieval Academy American (correspondent).
Reading, walking, travel.
Married Lucie Elisabeth Hoole, August 17, 1951. Children: Sarah, Michael, Helena, Adrian, Guy.